Valentine’s Day is this weekend and you either forgot, hate it anyway, or are wistfully hoping that somehow, someway you can put a little fun and romance back into the holiday without giving in to the typical not-so-green roses and cards.

For romantics like me out there, it is a formal day for love, so here are three stress-free, low-cost and green ways to celebrate St. Valentine and show your better half how much you care.

Reduce Stuff: Say “I Love You” with a card made from things you already have

This can actually be fairly easy without looking like your 4 year-old made it. First, start with a piece of construction paper (or try to use a recycled piece of paper or even recycle a card you received from the holidays by covering the pictures and words). Second, fold the paper the way you like then start thinking of what it is you want the card to say (if you are having trouble thinking of what to write, think back to what you said in your wedding vows or use a quote from my favorite romance poet, Maya Angelou). Next, write it all down (I like handwritten cards, but you can type it if you want). Finally, add some beauty to the card by pasting a picture of you and your love, pasting pictures or designs from magazines or old cards, pasting scraps of used wrapping paper to decorate, or if you are artistic, draw something.

Improve Health/Reduce Energy: Eat at home or dine green on the town

What can be more romantic than cooking a meal for your love and dining in the comfort of your own home? Nothing, in my perspective. You can green your meal by selecting locally grown or organic foods, planning the courses ahead of time and being conscious of water and energy use while cooking. All that is left to do is set the table and dim the lights!

However, if cooking just isn’t your thing, you can still dine green. Check out Dine Green for Certified Green Restaurants near you. To be certified, these restaurants must earn good scores in categories such as water efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, energy, and sustainable foods.

Save Energy/Improve Health: Going Outside is Green

If you are able to keep your sitter for a few extra hours, plan an outing or activity that would be fun for you and your spouse. Take a walk down the beach, to the park or down a scenic road and bring along hot chocolate or cider in a thermos. Window shop or take your spouse to a location that has meaning to you as a couple (where you went on your first date, where you were proposed too, etc.).

If you are coordinated and live up north, try ice skating at an outdoor rink or pond (only if it is deemed safe!). Here in Boston, one of my favorite places is Frog Pond ice skating rink in the Boston Common. It is cheap, fun, uses less energy than an indoor rink and the park is beautifully lit at night.

If you live in warmer areas, try searching for eco-friendly indoor rinks or indoor/outdoor hybrid ice rinks that use recyclable plastic panels rather than ice and do not need refrigeration devices, water or electricity.

Ultimately, enjoy love in any way that seems practical to you (and if you are being green in the process, then you are showing love to our planet too!)

How about you? Do you have any ideas on how to “green” Valentine’s Day? Share the love!

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